NBA Rumors: How Do the Chicago Bulls Stack Up With Tracy McGrady?

As free agency winds down, several of the NBA’s fallen stars are still without a job for next season.

For the moment at least, Tracy McGrady is part of a list that includes the likes of Shaquille O’Neal and Allen Iverson. But that could soon change.

McGrady is expected to spend Monday in Chicago to meet with Bulls’ officials and undergo a physical, according to an ESPN report.

If McGrady’s body passes the test, which of course is far from a forgone conclusion, the Bulls could offer the 31 year-old a contract as early as Monday.

Let’s take a look at how McGrady and the new-look Bulls would stack up compared to last year’s team, position-by position:

Starting Point Guard: Derrick Rose to Derrick Rose

By all accounts, Derrick Rose was part of a very small minority not interesting in laying out the red carpet for LeBron James.

That speaks volumes about how far Rose has progressed in his brief NBA career.

Chicago’s native son got off to a slow start last season, but he elevated his game to lift the Bulls to a playoff berth. His eye-opening aggressiveness on the offensive end pushed him closer to joining the ranks of NBA superstars.

Rose believes that the Bulls are his team and isn’t about to play second fiddle. Does that sound familiar, Bulls fans?

Grade: B+ to A

Starting Shooting Guard: Kirk Hinrich to Ronnie Brewer

Shortly after his introductory press conference last week, Brewer told WSCR 670 AM-The Score that he expects to be the starting shooting guard next season.

With the signing of Kyle Korver and the impending addition of Tracy McGrady, that remains to be seen.

For the moment at least, let’s assume Brewer will be Rose’s backcourt mate.

Brewer’s numbers slipped last year as he struggled with injuries, including a hamstring problem that ended his season.

The 6-7 swingman fills a huge void for the Bulls by providing the ability to defend against bigger, stronger guards.

The days of Kirk Hinrich battling Paul Pierce in the post are finally over.

However, Hinrich will certainly be missed, especially on the offensive end where he took pressure off of Rose by handling the ball.

Brewer will need to improve his jump shot to help the Bulls maintain spacing, especially if Luol Deng is reluctant to shoot 3-pointers.

Grade: B- to B

Starting Small Forward: Luol Deng to Luol Deng

Few NBA players take more bad shots than Luol Deng.

Deng doesn’t take wild shots, but he loves taking long 2-point shots, which is widely regarded as the worst shot in basketball.

His 3-point range is limited to the corners, and that’s where head coach Tom Thibodeau will likely send him.

Deng is a solid defender and a good rebounder for his position, which makes him a serviceable starter in the NBA. But he isn’t a great fit with Derrick Rose’s drive-and-kick game, especially when he is on the floor with Ronnie Brewer.

If he can stay healthy, Deng should show at least a little improvement in 2009-2010.

Grade: C+ to B-

Starting Power Forward: Taj Gibson to Carlos Boozer

Taj Gibson was one of biggest surprises in the NBA as a rookie, showing an ability to rebound and defend and even make jump shots.

But one thing Gibson didn’t demonstrate on a regular basis was the ability to score in the post.

Enter Carlos Boozer.

Boozer is a proven scorer and rebounder. His ability to stay healthy is certainly a concern, but he provides the Bulls with a legitimate 20-10 player for the first time since the Elton Brand era.

Boozer should fit in nicely with Derrick Rose, who has the ability to execute flawlessly in the pick-and-role game.

Grade: C to A-

Starting Center: Joakim Noah to Joakim Noah

Despite struggling with plantar faciitis, Joakim Noah put up his finest season as a pro in 2009-2010.

He should be even more productive next season, assuming of course that he can stay healthy.

Noah is an undersized center, but makes up for his lack of ideal size and strength with an abundance of energy and activity.

His quickness and agility is often overlooked, as is his ability to start the break on what should be a much more athletic Bulls’ lineup in 2010-2011.

Despite Noah’s energy and intangibles, the Bulls could still use help in defending Dwight Howard, the only true powerful low-post center in the Eastern Conference.

Grade: B to B+

Sixth Man: Brad Miller to Kyle Korver

Brad Miller is a pro’s pro and gave the Bulls toughness and leadership while displaying an astounding lack of quickness and athleticism.

His ability to hit jump shots helped space the floor for Derrick Rose and Kirk Hinrich.

Much like Miller, Kyle Korver’s biggest asset is his ability to shoot the basketball.

That is precisely what the Bulls need.

Chicago was one of the worst 3-point shooting teams in the NBA by the end of last season, especially after John Salmons was dealt to Milwaukee.

Salmons struggled with his shot in Chicago, but he at least provided a threat from the outside. After he was traded, Kirk Hinrich was the only legitimate perimeter shooter on the roster.

Korver shot an NBA record 53.9 percent from 3-point range last season and figures to get plenty of open looks for the Bulls.

Grade: C+ to B

Seventh Man: Hakim Warrick to Taj Gibson

By the time the playoffs rolled around last year, the steady Hakim Warrick found himself out of the rotation because of his inability to rebound or defend.

Warrick’s weaknesses are Taj Gibson’s strengths.

As well as Gibson played as a rookie, his game is ideally suited for coming off the bench as a role player.

Gibson’s production is likely to decline statistically, but he will still be a very important piece as the Bulls pursue a NBA Championship.

Grade: C to B-

Eighth Man: Flip Murray to Tracy McGrady

McGrady’s potential signing in Chicago is generating plenty of hype, but it’s difficult to determine how much value he will actually bring to the table.

In reality, he might not be much of an upgrade over shoot-first Flip Murray.

McGrady had his moments during his 24-game stint with the Knicks, averaging 9.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.7 assists in 26 minutes per game.

He also looked slow and seemed virtually spent by the end of the season.

Can McGrady really hold up for a full season, including the playoffs?

The Bulls need him to provide instant offense off the bench in limited minutes. Depending on game situations, he could be asked to play anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes, which might not be enough to keep him happy.

This should be interesting to say the least.

Grade: C- to C

Ninth Man: Jannero Pargo to C.J. Watson

The Bulls wanted more from Pargo, who spent the entire 2009-2010 season trying to shoot himself out of a slump.

It never happened.

The addition of Watson provides the Bulls with a steady defender and decent shooter behind Derrick Rose.

Watson is more of a combo guard than a true point, but did demonstrate the ability to run a team while playing in Don Nelson’s system in Golden State.

It may appear to be a subtle move, but signing Watson could pay big dividends at some point next season.

Grade: D to C+

10th Man: James Johnson to James Johnson

James Johnson showed the ability to do one thing as a rookie: foul with impunity.

It’s time to take the next step, or in this case, the first step.

Johnson showed flashes of athleticism during his limited minutes as a rookie. He is also a versatile player who has the size to be a good defender at some point down the line.

It remains to be seen if he has the work ethic needed to show improvement.

Don’t expect much from Johnson next season.

Grade: D- to D+

11th Man: Jerome James to Omer Asik

The Bulls are high on Asik, who has size and some degree of skill—allegedly.

With Dwight Howard and Andrew Bogut presenting considerable challenges for Joakim Noah, the Bulls need a backup center.

Brad Miller’s ability to play both power forward and center will certainly be missed.

Neither Taj Gibson nor Carlos Boozer have the ability to rotate to the middle, which place a huge premium on Noah staying healthy and out of foul trouble.

Backup center could be a big problem for the Bulls.

Grade: F to D

Head Coach: Vinny Del Negro to Tom Thibodeau

Defense is the priority for the Chicago Bulls under new head coach Tom Thibodeau.

The architect of the Celtics' defense that made life difficult for NBA superstars brings toughness and intensity to the Bulls' bench.

Under Vinny Del Negro, the Bulls rarely displayed a desire to defend.

Thibodeau has his work cut out for him.

The Bulls' best offensive players, Derrick Rose and Carlos Boozer, are not known for the ability to defend opponents.

Boozer is a bit undersized and Rose lacks experience and struggles to fight through screens.

Thibodeau's defensive mindset should help the Bulls improve considerably next season, but his ability to manage a game--and minutes--remains to be seen.

The longtime NBA assistant has plenty of experience and should be able to make in-game adjustments.

Grade: C to B+